$80m facelift for international airport

THE completion of the $80million upgrade of Nadi International Airport will bring it to par with international airports around the world, says Airports Fiji Limited board chairman Faiz Khan.

"The upgrade is slowly taking shape with works gaining momentum," he said.

Mr Khan said special emphasis was being put on new and improved passenger facilities, including retail shopping and dining.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-April next year but Mr Khan said the magnitude of the airport upgrade meant there might be a delay.

"Work is slowly picking up momentum and things are shaping up well so we are still on schedule but we would not rush it.

"Many of the changes would be integrated into a new, larger departure lounge extending out to the edge of the passenger walkways that provide access to and from departing or arriving aircraft which will substantially give more space to redesign the entire area and introduce a diversified shopping experience with a range of food outlets selling food freshly prepared on the premises."

According to Mr Khan, the changes would also improve passenger facilitation as more space will be created for passengers to be comfortably processed when arriving or departing from Nadi.

He reiterated that a significant source of income for AFL was through commercial activities at the airport.